Is it difficult to learn Spanish?

My journey began with a keen interest in learning Arabic back in 2019. While working in South Jakarta, I discovered a mosque located in front of my office premises that provided Arabic classes on weekends.

On my day off, I aim to use my time wisely, and this is a goal I consistently strive for. As a Muslim, I have received advice from many religious teachers to learn Arabic in order to comprehend the prayers and supplications that we recite.

Put simply, I received a suggestion to study Arabic for religious purposes. Upon seeing a notice at the mosque regarding Arabic language studies, I contacted an administrator to register for the course.

To demonstrate my commitment to learning Arabic, I started messaging the administrator of the Arabic course. Although the course is free, I was unable to enroll due to it being the fasting month (Ramadan).

The following month, I inquired once more, but to my dismay, it remained closed. Haha. To sum it up, I asked a total of four times! Oh dear! When was the Arabic course going to commence? I had asked on three separate occasions, yet there was no sign of it starting. Despite my repeated inquiries, it was consistently unavailable. Please, at least inform me about the expected opening date of the class, for heaven's sake.

I was feeling confused about the registration opening time. Despite asking four times, it's still closed. I find it puzzling that even after multiple inquiries and no additional information provided in the chat, there seems to be no resolution in sight. *sad background sound.

Back in September 2019, I had lost all motivation and essentially abandoned the idea. Hahaha. However, in February 2020, I inquired once more about the Arabic Course after noticing a status update on WhatsApp about a different admission (only for the Quran reading course) but nothing about the Arabic course. Still, no response.

I once tried joining an Arabic WhatsApp group to learn from the beginning, but it turned out to be ineffective. The lessons were sent while I was busy working on weekdays, making it difficult for me to concentrate. Interestingly, back in 2019, I used to do Zumba to Spanish songs while working, without even realizing the music playing in the background.

Consequently, due to the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, I had to stop working and go back to my hometown as per my mother's request. It was a turbulent time globally, causing a lot of stress for me. I isolated myself and avoided going out, but I managed to stay active by doing 'Zumba' workouts in my room for two weeks.

This was the second time I encountered Spanish songs at Zumba. Prior to returning, I had already downloaded another Zumba video while living in Jakarta. During my time in Jakarta, I frequently danced to 'Bailando' by Enrique Iglesias without realizing it was in Spanish - how silly, hahaha. Upon returning home, a new song, 'Se Fue' by Arash, meaning 'she's gone'. I looked it up on Google and thought, 'Oh! It's pronounced exactly as se fue, in Spanish? Wow!' That was it, I had no intention of learning it at that moment, hahaha.

The reason was that I had no plans to learn this language as I was focused on finding a job. Fortunately, I found one in Bandung City. I followed a regular routine, commuting on time using a bicycle, enjoying a smooth ride without traffic congestion, and having the most amazing boss. It was a content life, yet I found myself feeling bored without any new experiences. I lacked companionship and with the constraints of the Covid situation, our world felt quite restricted, didn't it?

Alright, let's backtrack a bit. I came across an article stating that learning a new language is beneficial for brain health as it helps in connecting neurons and staying mentally active. Intrigued, I began researching which language is the most commonly spoken worldwide. Given my background in geography, I read that Spanish is spoken in numerous countries across the globe, particularly in Spain, Central, and South America. Can you guess the total number of countries? It's 21 countries! Considering the widespread use of Spanish, I realized that learning it could provide me with a significant advantage in the future.

Following that, I decided to check out YouTube for tutorials on the Spanish alphabet and beginner's language rules. I came across videos that provided guidance on alphabet pronunciation and grammar. As I listened, I diligently jotted down notes in my notebook, covering everything from the alphabet to basic vocabulary, grammar, and verb conjugations. This marked a dedicated effort to learn Spanish, prompting me to commit to regular practice. However, after approximately a month, or perhaps even sooner, I realized that I had merely been reading my notes without actively practicing, committing to memory, internalizing, and grasping the patterns of AR, IR, and ER verbs. Eventually, I came to the realization that mastering the pronunciation of this romantic language was not as challenging as I had initially thought.

I kept pursuing my studies as I had already cultivated a strong interest in it, you see? When we have a passion for something, nothing can stop us, correct? Despite the obstacles, we persevere. Additionally, I had plenty of free time in Bandung because of the relaxed work atmosphere, so why not take full advantage of it?

My drive is also inspired by the deep historical importance of Andalusia, Spain, particularly the city of Cordova, celebrated for its Islamic legacy from the 7th to the 12th centuries, representing the zenith of Islamic civilization. In pursuit of a meaningful goal in mastering Spanish or another language, I took the initiative to create my own YouTube Channel. In my first video, I underscored the phonetic aspect of Spanish, where words are pronounced as they are written, similar to my native language, 'Bahasa Indonesia,' which eases the learning process, my friends! The melodious and eloquent way in which Spanish speakers communicate strikes me as incredibly romantic. Their precise pronunciation and vocal clarity fascinate me, giving the language a trendy appeal. Interestingly, I also pointed out in my video the resemblance between our alphabets.

Oh, a special reason for learning a new language is also to nourish our brain neurons, keeping them active and preventing dementia. I read this in an article, but I already forgot where and when I read it. :)

Therefore, I have outlined all the rationales behind my choice to communicate in Spanish. I believe I have inspired all of you to consider gaining expertise in a different language, such as Bahasa Indonesia. Be assured that you can rely on my assistance, okay? jajaja

Dear friends, make sure to spend your time on productive activities, embrace a willingness to take risks, and continue to expand your knowledge! I am grateful to have obtained my DELE B2 certification and hope to utilize it for employment opportunities or a scholarship to Spain. Stay positive and motivated!